As it marks its eleventh anniversary, the InterContinental San Francisco Hotel is undergoing a top-to-bottom interior renovation. The transformation includes 43,000 square feet of meeting and event space, 556 guestrooms, 14 suites, and lobby level Concierge and Living Room.
The nearby Moscone Center and San Francisco’s SOMA district influenced the redesign. Kiko Singh of San Francisco-based BraytonHughes Design Studios created a new guestroom interior that evokes a strong sense of place, while interior architecture and design firm EDG recreated the lobby area.
The recently renovated 43,000 square feet of meeting and function space includes two ballrooms and 21 meeting rooms on the third, fourth and fifth floors, offering spaces from 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet. The new ballrooms let groups create their own perfect meeting space. Dynamic architectural lighting in the alcoves of the ballrooms and on the meeting and function space walls can be adjusted to nearly an infinite number of shades. This lighting system, provided by Ketra, offers a circadian lighting program that shifts in color and intensity throughout the day to emulate natural light. In addition, meeting spaces now have white board walls that allow clients more space to brainstorm ideas. In the meeting space foyer, large-scale digital signage delivers client branding or acts as a digital art installation when not in use for an event.
The update to the guestrooms give the spaces a residential quality, with a new color palette and a tailored style that is reflected in the carpet, upholstery and textile wall coverings. The pinstripes in the gray carpet call to mind a suit, a theme carried through the room with suit-like buttons on the bed skirt outlined with striping of International Orange, the official color of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are also oversized wingback chairs and modern lamps. Additional updates include guestroom light fixtures that were designed with convenience outlets and USB connections for guests to have ample space to plug in. Motorized drapes can also be found in the new guestrooms. The guestroom artwork comes from local emerging artists discovered in boutique galleries, and in one case, on Instagram.
The corridors on each floor were updated with neutral wall coverings and sconces that reflect the first floor lobby and the updated guestrooms. The elevator lobbies highlight the juxtaposing carpet and ceiling.
In a first for the hospitality industry, InterContinental San Francisco is partnering with air purifier Molekule to include the clear air systems in select suites.
The renovation will culminate in Fall 2019 with an enhancement to Michelin-starred Luce Restaurant and Bar 888.
Peter Koehler is the general manager of InterContinental San Francisco.
Photo credit: InterContinental San Francisco